Smith Co. deputy hit by SUV early Wednesday has been released from hospital

A deputy whose vehicle was hit from behind by an SUV Wednesday morning has been released from the hospital on Wednesday evening, hospital officials say.

Multiple volunteer fire departments responded to the six-vehicle crash near Noonday around 9:15 a.m. near the intersection of State Highway 155 and Farm to Market Road 344, near Lake Palestine.

Department of Public Safety Trooper Jean Dark says the sheriff's deputy was sitting at a light headed northbound when he was struck by an SUV driven by Chris Caldwell of Tyler. Four other vehicles suffered minor damage as a result of the collision.

Witnesses at the scene told KLTV's Kristen King that the Chevy Trailblazer driven by Caldwell never slowed down or tried to brake.

The deputy, identified as Tim McDonald, had to be cut from the vehicle and was then taken to East Texas Medical Center by ambulance. The other people involved in the wreck were treated at the scene and released.

Caldwell will cited for failure to control speed and failure to yield the right of way.

McDonald has been a deputy with Smith Co Sheriff's Department since January 2013. Prior to that, he worked for the Jacksonville Police Department from 2009-2012.